Monday, March 14, 2011

How to Make a Jacket into a Pillow

I made it in the late 90s, created the pattern and the stencil designs, invested hours of time and effort into it. Published in the Belle Armoire Magazine, I’m very proud of this jacket and have found it hard to part with inspite of its being terribly outdated. BUT it’s been using up valuable storage space so something’s gotta give. What to do? Give it a new purpose…

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How to Make a Jacket into a Pillow

Lay the jacket flat, then fold the edges in to approximate the size and shape of pillow you want…

Mark roughly, with a removable pencil or pen, the dimensions of the pillow on front and back, if needed. Then take out the lining either by unpicking or cutting…

Unpick the hem, then take out the side seams either by unpicking or cutting…

(You might also need to take the sleeves off depending on your jacket or pillow)

Now mark off the dimensions of your pillow with a ruler and removable pen or pencil. (Mine is 18″ x 18″)

Then add a 1/2″ seam allowance using your ruler and removable pencil/pen…

(Do these steps for both back and front of jacket)

Lay the jacket front flat and pin through all the layers of facing/lapel to stabilize…

(The front button closure will serve as your opening, where you will insert the pillow form)

Cut around the outer line you drew, both front and back, keeping pins in place. Then BASTE where you’ve pinned to stabilize all the layers.

Undo the buttons. Now place front and back pieces RIGHT sides together and pin…

Then STITCH 1/2″ from raw edges all the way around. Use the front button area to turn the pillow right side out…

Use a point turner to push the corners out, press if needed, then insert your pillow form…